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Quit Calling Me a Monster!
The talented creators of I Will Chomp You! brilliantly frame the struggle to buck stereotypes and learn empathy in this monster’s hilarious lament.
Floyd Peterson is so much more than shaggy purple fur and pointy monster teeth — why can’t people just see him for him? Jory John and Bob Shea have struck gold in creating a knee-slapping, read-it-again story that will start a valuable discussion about how we treat others and how it feels to be seen as “different.”
Floyd Peterson is so much more than shaggy purple fur and pointy monster teeth — why can’t people just see him for him? Jory John and Bob Shea have struck gold in creating a knee-slapping, read-it-again story that will start a valuable discussion about how we treat others and how it feels to be seen as “different.”
40 pages, Hardcover
First published August 23, 2016
About the author
Jory John
105 books692 followersJory John is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and two-time E.B. White Read-Aloud Honor recipient.
Jory's work includes the #1 New York Times bestselling picture book, The Good Egg, and the #2 New York Times bestselling picture book, The Bad Seed, both illustrated by Pete Oswald. He is also the author of the popular picture books, Penguin Problems and Giraffe Problems, both illustrated by Lane Smith, the award-winning Goodnight Already! series, illustrated by Benji Davies, the New York Times bestselling Terrible Two series, the recent picture books Quit Calling Me a Monster! (with Bob Shea), Can Somebody Please Scratch My Back? (with Liz Climo), and the international bestseller, All my friends are dead, among many other books for both children and adults.
Jory's work includes the #1 New York Times bestselling picture book, The Good Egg, and the #2 New York Times bestselling picture book, The Bad Seed, both illustrated by Pete Oswald. He is also the author of the popular picture books, Penguin Problems and Giraffe Problems, both illustrated by Lane Smith, the award-winning Goodnight Already! series, illustrated by Benji Davies, the New York Times bestselling Terrible Two series, the recent picture books Quit Calling Me a Monster! (with Bob Shea), Can Somebody Please Scratch My Back? (with Liz Climo), and the international bestseller, All my friends are dead, among many other books for both children and adults.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 258 reviews
November 27, 2018
The synopsis makes this book sound deeper than it really is. It's basically just the whiny lament of Floyd Peterson, a monster who doesn't want to be called a monster... even though he is. I'm not quite sure what the point is supposed to be. It's like denying who you are because other people misunderstand what that is. That's not your problem... it's theirs.
This book reminded me of another of Jory John's picture books, The Bad Seed. But that one was a lot more amusing, and the play on words worked in the premise's favour. The seed really was "bad", and there was a whole story about how he got that way. In this book, Floyd is just a monster who seems to be in denial about his identity. It confused me as an adult... so I'm not sure how this would play with kids.
This book reminded me of another of Jory John's picture books, The Bad Seed. But that one was a lot more amusing, and the play on words worked in the premise's favour. The seed really was "bad", and there was a whole story about how he got that way. In this book, Floyd is just a monster who seems to be in denial about his identity. It confused me as an adult... so I'm not sure how this would play with kids.
October 28, 2016
My name is Floyd. Floyd Peterson.
November 10, 2019
Determined not to be labeled a monster any longer, a purple-haired, wild-eyed creature with horns and fangs asks that the reader instead call him by his name, Floyd Peterson. Despite the many characteristics that might seem to make him monstrous, Floyd finds the moniker hurtful... not to mention ill-mannered!
The second collaboration between author Jory John and illustrator Bob Shea, following upon their initial I Will Chomp You! , Quit Calling Me a Monster! is a humorous and entertaining tale. Floyd's many excited exclamations, his growling and carrying on, would make for an excellent read-aloud experience at story-hour. The artwork, colorful and cartoon-like, accentuates its hero's amusing antics. Recommended to younger children who might be afraid of that monster in the closet - it's only Floyd Peterson, after all - and to anyone looking for humorous tales for kids.
The second collaboration between author Jory John and illustrator Bob Shea, following upon their initial I Will Chomp You! , Quit Calling Me a Monster! is a humorous and entertaining tale. Floyd's many excited exclamations, his growling and carrying on, would make for an excellent read-aloud experience at story-hour. The artwork, colorful and cartoon-like, accentuates its hero's amusing antics. Recommended to younger children who might be afraid of that monster in the closet - it's only Floyd Peterson, after all - and to anyone looking for humorous tales for kids.
February 5, 2018
A must read before bedtime story that will ease the children's fears, if there are any issues regarding monsters under the bed. I know I had to make sure my daughter's closet was closed before I left the room at night. Not sure if she gained that fear before or after Monster Inc. But, it traveled with her into her young teens too. This monster has feelings, and he wishes to be called by his real name even though he looks like a monster and has monster parents. Thanks again to the children's librarian for sharing with me. She knows I love children's books that make you giggle out loud.
August 24, 2016
Lots of silliness. Good read aloud choice.
November 1, 2019
Bahahahahaha. This was so great.
April 21, 2025
Finishing this picture book, this was my Thought: "Is it even POSSIBLE to Love a picture book this much?" 💜❤️💛
Right away, Jory John, demonstrates it's not just people who have problems..NAILED it again!
Over the weekend, I picked up a stack of his books from the library. When the Librarian noticed the books were authored by him, she got so excited and nearly yelled, "He is a Hoot!"
I Highly recommend any picture book by him. There's a humored lesson in all 🤗.
Right away, Jory John, demonstrates it's not just people who have problems..NAILED it again!
Over the weekend, I picked up a stack of his books from the library. When the Librarian noticed the books were authored by him, she got so excited and nearly yelled, "He is a Hoot!"
I Highly recommend any picture book by him. There's a humored lesson in all 🤗.
October 4, 2018
It's super annoying when people scream whenever they see you, when they get scared when you are just going to bed and call you monster... when you just want them to call you by your name, Floyd.
Why I started this book: New kids books at the library. YEAH!!
Why I finished it: Charming and I'm thrilled to read this one out loud.
Why I started this book: New kids books at the library. YEAH!!
Why I finished it: Charming and I'm thrilled to read this one out loud.
September 9, 2019
I liked this book a lot. I think it is a good tool that can be used to show kids how important it is to be kind to one another. Its about a monster who is tried of being called a monster and treated like a monster. At the end, he finally gets people to call him by his real name. No longer a monster.
August 29, 2016
Kind of meh, but I do like that he wants to be called Floyd Peterson. Te he.
October 5, 2017
Hilarious! Floyd Peterson does NOT like being called a monster! Even though he technically is one... Good fun for all is had in this great book for storytimes.
January 13, 2018
Very cute, and almost makes a good point, but I’m probably reading too much into this.
June 13, 2018
Very cute book about name calling.
September 19, 2023
Funny and sweet! It could help a child sleep better at night
August 9, 2018
Adorable! This reminds me of a modern THERE'S A MONSTER AT THE END OF THIS BOOK.
March 14, 2019
This is very funny and was a great read aloud with library groups. I can see some possible writing prompts as well.
April 3, 2022
We checked this out on a whim from the library the other day and have already read it 5 times so I thought I would add it to my list. This is a funny lament of a monster who wants some respect! 😆 my kids thought it was hilarious and it was a really fun read aloud!
November 8, 2016
With all the concern currently about stereotypes and all that happens to perpetuate them, it's refreshing to see a take on the subject that is so very enjoyable. Floyd Peterson is very clearly a monster (even he admits it at one point in the story, although very reluctantly). He looks like a monster, he sometimes behaves like a monster, although he claims that that is inadvertent. But despite it all, he does not like being called a monster. In a hilarious narrative, Floyd explains that he doesn't like people being scared of him (even though he does sleep in closets and under beds) and seriously prefers to be called Floyd Peterson. It's difficult though to look at this purple-furred, glow-in-the-dark sharp smiled, horned creature and call him Floyd Peterson. One of the funniest parts is when Floyd compares his sleeping habits to a child who is snoring and green-faced. The children I read this too just busted up in giggles. And the end, well, let's just say the ending is as perfect an ending as I've ever seen. A truly delightful book that in an unobtrusive way lets readers know that it's important to respect others wishes in what they are called and how they are seen and treated. This book is a real treat from start to finish.
September 24, 2016
This is a fun picture book that gives young readers a glimpse of how a monster might feel about everyone screaming at him and calling him a monster. Floyd Peterson is technically a monster, since he has horns, fangs, wild eyes, purple fur, clompy feet, long toenails and a huge, toothy smile that glows in the dark. But he gets his feelings hurt when people call him a monster, scream, and run away from him. The lively, humorous illustrations make this a great choice for a read aloud for young children. If your children really are still afraid of monsters, you might not want to read this one as a bedtime story.
November 4, 2016
Nice twist on a monster story. Definite humor and school-age will love it. I think preschool might be able to get it, too. A fun read-alone and lap-read so they can be with the illustrations up close. ("scribbly" kind can sometimes be hard to see details in a storytime setting.)
11/1/16-11/3/16 Used in elementary school visits. Read in one 2nd and one 6th. I feel like it was more, but I suppose not. The 2nd grade class was a little too smart alec for this, but they seemed to enjoy by the end. The 6th grade stoically tried not to smile, but they couldn't help laughing at the ending.
11/1/16-11/3/16 Used in elementary school visits. Read in one 2nd and one 6th. I feel like it was more, but I suppose not. The 2nd grade class was a little too smart alec for this, but they seemed to enjoy by the end. The 6th grade stoically tried not to smile, but they couldn't help laughing at the ending.
August 24, 2016
Yay! Great and funny book perfect for storytime or just one on one. Introducues one pissed off monster admonishing the reader to stop calling him, well, a monster. It's rude, don't you know, and he starts detailing all the rude things he could say to annoying little children. Yes, he IS a monster and his folks were monsters but declaring that he is a monster (even if he is snoring under your stupid bed) is just not done in polite society.
It is a scream.
Read it.
It is a scream.
Read it.
August 23, 2016
This book was hilarious ... and right on time for Halloween! I loved it and will add it to my fall collection of story time books! Did I say I loved it? I literally could not help myself from reading this book out loud on the desk and then laughing hysterically with my co-worker. I will use this book - be sure of that!
December 29, 2017
Love books that have such a good voice, you just fall into it as a read aloud. This monster insists he isn't one despite all that points to him being one, then reluctantly has to admit he is one, but since no one likes monsters, he'd just like to be called his name, he's an individual. :)
February 4, 2017
Floyd Peterson is a monster who doesn't want to be labeled a monster. A high energy first person monologue that gently reminds the reader that name-calling isn't nice.
Read
November 5, 2021Re-read 10/29/2021: Mom read this to me today because it was dress as a book character day at school and I dressed as a monster.
Originally read 2017: Mama reads this to me a lot because I ask for it a lot! It's a really funny book.
Originally read 2017: Mama reads this to me a lot because I ask for it a lot! It's a really funny book.
August 24, 2016
A monster doesn't like being called a monster... Possible silly monster story for Halloween story time...
August 26, 2016
A monster doesn't want to be called a monster. Even though he fits the description of a monster. He wants to be recognized as in individual. Cute concept. Right group of toddlers or preschool.
December 23, 2016
There's a good moral in here and enough jokes to amuse both parents and children. I got this as a gift for a friend's daughter.
January 10, 2017
A fun read-aloud
Displaying 1 - 30 of 258 reviews